SC directs Delhi finance secy to release funds to DJB

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Delhi government's Principal Secretary (Finance) to release funds to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and made the utility, responsible for supplying potable water to the national capital, a party to a plea filed by the ruling AAP dispensation alleging non-release of money.

A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra took note of the submissions of senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, appearing for Principal Secretary (Finance), that the Delhi government, which has filed the plea against its own official, has not made the DJB a party.

“They have not made the DJB a party. This is the authority which is making requisitions for the funds,” Jethmalani said. “We will implead DJB (as a party) to find out from them (about the dues)...In the meantime, please release funds which are liable to be paid,” said the bench.

At the outset, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the Delhi government, said the minister concerned has written six times to the finance secretary and yet the entire fund has not been released. Observing that it wanted to know about the outstanding funds from the water utility itself, the bench said these issues needed to be sorted out.

The court has now fixed the Delhi government's petition for further hearing on April 10. Earlier on April 1, the top court had issued a notice to Delhi's Principal Secretary (Finance) on the plea of the AAP government.